Brahma Anandam review: Core point is impressive, execution suffers

What’s it about?

Brahma (Raja Goutam), after over nine years of endeavoring to establish himself as an actor in the theater world, finally secures an opportunity to present his play at national contests in Delhi. However, the facilitator demands Rs 6 lakhs, which he is unable to furnish. He has already depleted the funds of his roommate Giri (Vennela Kishore).

Aware of his aspiration, his girlfriend Tara (Priya Vadlamani) consolidates all her funds and resolves to surprise him with a check for Rs 6 lakhs; nevertheless, an incident on the same day precipitates their breakup.

The exasperated Brahma unexpectedly receives a proposition from his grandfather Anand Murthy (Brahmanandam), who lives in an old-age home facility. Murthy requests Brahma’s assistance in traveling to their ancestral hamlet, where he intends to reside for several days. Brahma will receive the 11 acres of land registered under Murthy’s name in exchange. Brahma consents, unaware of Murthy’s true intentions.

However, he is astonished to discover that the elderly man visited the village for an alternative reason and possesses no land there. What are Murthy’s true intentions?

Analysis

Raja Goutam, who had previously seen no success as an actor, has made a return to cinema after an extended sabbatical and teamed with his father, legendary comedian Brahmanandam, in the film titled “Brahma Anandam,” which bears a phonetic resemblance to his father’s name.

The notable aspect is that the father-son duo portrays the grandfather-grandson relationship in this film. However, the core plot point of “Brahma Anandam” is about love in the twilight years. The film’s main strengths are its midway twist and core premise. Only at the interval point does everything make sense.

Some hilarious moments, a few emotional scenes, and the topic of love in twilight years make this film watchable despite a lot of lagging narrative and loose ends. However, the second half’s weaker screenplay and climax portions give the film a rushed feeling. Besides that, Raja Goutam’s struggle as an actor hardly resonates with us.

The veteran actor Brahmanandam shines in emotional scenes. His comedic performances seem conventional; however, he currently appears more adept at showcasing the emotional aspects of his characters. Raja Goutam is earnest in his portrayal. Vennela Kishore not only gets a lengthy role but also delivers substantial comic relief. Veteran actress Talluri Rameswari has a limited presence; however, she adds gravitas to the story.

The film has an adequate technical show.

Bottom line: At its core, “Brahma Anandam” has impressive premise and tackles an intriguing subject, and the film’s midsection is engaging, but its helter-skelter screenplay and rushed climax have diminished the overall experience. Still, it offers some laughs and a bit of emotional feel.

Rating: 2.5/5

Movie: Brahma Anandam
Cast: Brahmanandam, Raja Goutam, Vennela Kishore, Priya Vadlamani, Aishwarya Holakkal, Tanikella Bharani, Talluri Rameswari, and others
Music: Sandilya Pisapati
Director of Photography: Mitesh Parvathaneni
Editor: Praneeth Kumar
Art Designer: Kranthi Priyam
Producer: Rahul Yadav Nakka
Screenplay and directed by: Rvs Nikhil
Release Date: Feb 14, 2025